Going out on a limb here to say Spatial Computing solves zero things. I'm skeptical of Apple's new Vision Pro headset. The tech is very impressive, no doubt. But you could argue it's similar to exploring Mars; we have the capability, but is there really a need? The key use-case of Vision Pro seems to be a fancy new way of computing. What is that, and why do we need that now?
To help answer that, let's separate “Spatial Computing” from the retail price tag; forget about a $3,500 cost. Is “Spatial” better than “Personal” or “Mobile" or “Ambient” computing? What problems does it solve or do better?
These are fair questions worth asking.
Sometimes when a new technology comes along, its benefits over the past way of doing things is clear. For example, using voice on the telephone was far better than using Morse code on the telegraph to communicate long distance. Is the Vision Pro obviously better at computing than a traditional laptop? Is it more convenient than a smartphone? I don't see any apparent improvement in either case.
Since we can't try the headset yet, and since developers haven't announced any new amazing apps for Vision Pro, we can only look to Apple's statements about Spatial Computing. From the Vision Pro landing page, it reads:
"Welcome to the era of spatial computing. Apple Vision Pro seamlessly blends digital content with your physical space. You navigate simply by using your eyes, hands, and voice. So you can do the things you love in ways never before possible. You’ve never seen everything like this before."
Apple
So the interaction model uses your eyes, hands, and voice, like we already have. Currently, my eyes look at a laptop or phone display, my hands type on a physical keyboard, use a mouse or trackpad, and multi-touch a screen. And sometimes I even say, "Hey, Siri, remind me to..." So the Vision Pro interaction/navigation model is different, but the same really — not so revolutionary. Maybe I can mid-air gesture apps like Tom Cruise in Minority Report but without the gloves. That's cool, but how is it better than swiping on my trackpad?
Apps
Okay, Apple's opening statement clearly indicates that Vision Pro ultimately doesn't do anything new or different from traditional computing; it’s not about what it does but how it does things. It just does, "...the things you love in ways never before possible." So Vision Pro is somewhat familiar since it does the same things you already enjoy doing, like spreadsheets. But Vision Pro does spreadsheets in new ways, like floating in a giant window above your dining table. Spreadsheets are spread out more, which is better, I guess. But that’s not compelling.
Let’s try documents. How is word processing in a faux environment better than word processing in a real office? In the end, it's still just word processing, right? Maybe I could type my blog posts on a pretend beach, but I think such a nice spatial environment would distract me from blogging as I'd rather daydream of actually being on the beach.
Maybe productivity via spatial computing isn't all it's cracked up to be. What about other things we like to do with our digital devices? The Vision Pro page lists four key areas that the headset is for: Apps, Entertainment, Photos and Video, and Connection.
Entertainment
I covered apps above with productivity. So would spatial computing make Entertainment better? Actually, I think it would. A fully-immersive movie or 3D open-world game would likely be compelling and captivating. But would the trade-offs be worth it? You could only watch the movie by yourself. You'd probably need to be tethered to a power outlet since many movies and gaming sessions exceed the Vision Pro's 2-hour battery limit. And remember 3D-Blurays and 3D TVs? They were a short-lived fad.
People generally dislike covering their face or burdening their head; it’s cumbersome and constraining — not convenient. The military must condition recruits to appreciate wearing a gas mask by making them breathe in a cloud of pepper gas while trying to talk through it without choking on their tears and mucus.
Photos and Video
What about Photos and Video in Vision Pro? I imagine that seeing 3D versions of these could be moving in a special way. But let's be real here. Most people are perfectly fine with looking at highly compressed stamp-sized images of loved ones on Facebook with their phone that's always with them. I seriously doubt a chonky headset offers a photo viewing experience where the quality overwhelms the convenience of phone pictures.
Connection
Lastly, let's look at Connection. Practically speaking, I think it'd be more convenient to do a FaceTime video call with one or more people using the headset since my hands could stay free; I wouldn't need to hold my iPhone in front of my face, and I wouldn't have to stay seated in front of my MacBook. So I could walk and do things around the house while chatting with someone, kind of like I do when using AirPods on a phone call while driving my car.
But other than Vision Pro making FaceTime more convenient, I don't think a ski-goggle computer will make connecting with others much better than the convenience of, oh I don't know, always having a phone computer in my pocket. Will it be legal to wear Vision Pro while driving? You know someone is going to do it. Headline: person crashes car while FaceTiming in Vision Pro on highway.
I must also point out a grievous claim on Apple's website about connecting via Vision Pro. First, there is a picture of two people sitting on a couch, "facing" each other. I airquote that word because one person has her face half-obscured by Vision Pro, showing her fake eyes peering through. The picture is followed by this text, with the first sentence being the claim:
"Vision Pro helps you remain connected to those around you. EyeSight reveals your eyes and lets those nearby know when you’re using apps or fully immersed in an experience. When someone approaches, Vision Pro simultaneously lets you see the person and reveals your eyes to them."
Okay, please, for the love of humanity, let's be real. If you want to stay connected with someone face-to-face ("those around you"), take the headset off! It's the same as we say today, "Put the phone down!" It’s just like I've been teaching my son to remove his headphones when talking with others; it's common courtesy.
In case you don't realize this, Vision Pro doubles the number of screens between you and another person. With your phone, you must put down one screen when someone interacts with you. But with Vision Pro, there is the screen-set that your eyes see inside the goggles, and there's the outer EyeSight display that the other person sees. Both you and the other person are now looking at screens, seeing digital representations of one another.
A headset is fundamentally isolating. The isolation problem isn’t solved by more screens; it’s solved by less. Either you’re immersed in your headset’s solo experience, or you connect with others by taking off the mask.
Such technology is great to tele-communicate, digitally connecting with others who aren't physically present. But if someone is with you and they're actually trying to be with you, then a computer nerd helmet is the last thing you want to have. Unless you're Daft Punk.
Overall, Vision Pro doesn't do anything new. It only does the same old things you're used to, but in a different way. Some of those ways are kind of better, but not really. A laptop or tablet plus a smartphone solve 99% of all computing needs. An AR/VR headset might solve that last 1%.
I like Apple tech. But I think Vision Pro is bleary-eyed.